Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Miss Cookie's Cardiac Ultrasound

Miss Cookie

We took Miss Cookie to the specialists' hospital in Greenville yesterday for her cardiac ultrasound. It was not good. She may not live long, or she could live 5 years, I was told. It all depends on how well she reacts to the medications they have started her on. This is breaking my heart....she is just such a loving little cat. The right side of her heart is greatly enlarged and thickened, and the left side is not doing its share of pumping, so she is not getting the proper flow of oxygenated blood to her tiny little body at all. It doesn't seem to be bothering her one bit, but she does sleep a lot lately.

The doctor said, generally, cats with this type of heart condition only live 2-4 months. She has seen them live as long as 5 years sometimes, though. My heart is hurting...she is so sweet and only 3 years old. The specialist there said her condition is more than likely due to the fact that she was born a feral and her mother and ancestors not having the proper nutrition during their own lives. She said these cats don't absorb the taurine in their food as well as healthy-bred cats. She is on 2 meds now...one being lasix, the other for her heart. They drew another 3 ounces of fluid off her chest yesterday, too. 9.5 ounces was drawn off when I took her into my regular vet the first time, and then they referred her to Upstate Veterinary Specialists in Greenville, SC. They only accept referrals there. Thank the good Lord for this wonderful facility!!! They are just super there! It's actually like a human hospital but for animals. They can perform anything there for an animal that our human hospitals can for us. People come there from all over with their pets.

So it was a long day there, as I didn't get home til about 6:30 last evening. She has to go back next Monday for a kidney check to make sure they are not becoming dehydrated from the lasix. Then a repeat ultrasound will be done in one month to see how, and if, her heart is responding to the medication. For being a feral cat, she has tamed quite nicely, and they handled her with ease. She didn't need to be gassed down for the ultrasound procedure or the fluid removal.

I have never had a cat, ever, with a heart condition. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will recall that my son lost his little "Scooter" to a heart condition last October. She was only sick about 4 months before he lost her.

So for now, all I can do is give her the prescribed meds every 12 hours and just enjoy what time I have left with her. Prayers would be welcomed. It hurts to lose a pet, how well I know, as I've had to say goodbye to a good many, but to lose such a young one is just so heartbreaking. I just have to keep reminding myself that she's had a better life, albeit a short one, than what she would have had living outside as a feral.

20 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

Miss Nancy, now you just stop it. Stop looking at that wonderful little kitty, and thinking she is gone already, or about to expire. Miss Nancy, look at that wonderful little kitty, and Thank God she came into your life, and thank HER for being such a furry little friend. Love her every single day, and make each one fantastic for you both. Cookie would have likely died already left on her own as a feral kitty, but look at how she is! Strong, happy, content, and living LARGE.

*cough cough* Sorry Miss Nancy... didn't mean to lecture you! ;) But I get the distinct impression that Madame Cookie fully expects you to dote on her, and love her, and spoil her rotten each and every day. Don't count the days, don't anticipate the end. Keep spoiling her and loving her, like you do all the kitties there.

You know we'll be praying for you and Cookie, and the rest of your furry little purr machines!

Jess said...

Look at the positives...not the negatives...glass half full not glass half empty.

I will be praying for Cookie and you.

Love you...and please keep us updated.

Jess

Winifred said...

It is hard to be positive when you've had such a shock and she is such a lovely little thing. However amazing things happen. There are lots of prayers for Miss Cookie and candles being lit for her so...who knows. It's the quality of their lives that count and you've given your little cattopusses fantastic quality of life.

Keep your chin up and look after yourself too Nancy we're thinking of you and Miss Cookie.

hippo chick said...

She is such a cutie. I know this is hard. I really don't know what to say. Just enjoy her and baby her and give all the love you can.

~hippo hugs~

Sharon said...

Let us pray and think positive about Miss Cookie.
I know this must be so hard on you,but please keep your chin up.

Nancy said...

I think some of you are getting the wrong idea. I don't think I am being negative about this at all. Yes, I am sad to know that her days are numbered. I'm sure you will all feel the same way when your time comes to lose your own pets. I have lost several over the past years, and I do not consider myself being on the negative side at all. I have held my pets when they have been put to sleep, as it helps them to know that you are there with them to the very end. No need to worry about me through this...I have made it through situations like this so many times....Remember, I'm one of those ole tough Yankee women! LOL

Patty said...

She may surprise even the vet. And I know living with you she's had a good life.

I think I told you one time, we had a dog live to be 22 years old. No one thought she would live that long. Animals can sometimes surprise us.

Hang in there.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Nancy,

I am sorry to hear the prognosis on sweeet Miss Cookie. Yes, it's very hard to go through something like this. I know you will be there for her, and maybe she'll surprise everyone and make it for several more years. I hope so. To be truthfull, Nancy, I fall apart when my pets get sick. I am not strong at all in that kind of situation. I was the same way with my human kids, when they were little. I am just not strong emotionally.

I will say lots of prayers for Miss Cookie, and know that you will be there for her through thick or thin.

Hugs and purrs,

Renie

PS.
Orio, or Orie as I sometimes call her, has been laying around sleeping a lot the last couple of days, and last night I put my face on her side as she lay on my bed, and heard the rumble in her chest!Got me pretty scared. I called the vet first thing this morning, and took her in. It seems she has a respiratory infection. A virus, I guess. She had a temp. of 103.5. Dr. Fox gave her a strong shot, and antibiotics to take for 20 days and said to bring her back if she doesn't seem improved in three days. But she already seems better this evening, thank the Good Lord! She is only 5 years old, and has always been a robust, healthy cat. I know she'll recover quickly, and continue to be my little shadow. Thank you for asking about her on FB.

Susie said...

So sorry to hear Miss Cookie been diagnosed with a heart condition.
I know she'll live just as long as the Good Lord intends and will have a wonderful life with you.
Hope you're taking good care of you too!
xo

BClark said...

Well from one New England Yankee to another Yankee, I know what you mean. We soldier through what ever is thrown at us. I love my pets while there are here, and do the best by them I can. I miss them and remember them with love when they are gone. In between they love me and make my days better and hopefully I do the same for them. Give miss Cookie an extra hug for me.

Monogram Queen said...

Nancy you are doing what you can, I am wishing your sweet baby the best!

Sam said...

I will certainly keep Cookie in my prayers, Nancy. And as always, I think you are a real hero for taking such good care of so many cats.

Gigi Ann said...

I've been on a blogger's holiday and just read about you and Cookie today, I hope you are both doing fine.

zztop357 said...

I'm so sorry cookie is sick.I know she was happy to be at home with you and her friends. It doesn't matter if you had her 3 months or 3 years. They tend to wrap themselves around your heart and hang on.
I know Cookie is much better off with you than wearing her poor body out having kittens. She wouldn't have lived through the labor and delivery in the wild.
Bless you both, Donna

Merle said...

Dear Nancy ~~ I am so sad the news isn't so good, but who knows when a miracle will happen? I will pray for you and for Cookie. I don't think folks are being negative, or thinking you are. They are just saying look for the best outcome.
Take great care of yourself dear friend, and you do a wonderful job
caring for your kitties.
Thanks for your comments and I loved your train words. Not even
allowed to look out the windows, or talk or reading. But Enjoy Your Trip. So strange.Much Love, Merle














Much love

Diane said...

I've been away from blogging for a while. Sorry to hear about Cookie. Miracles DO happen. Don't count her out! Try to keep a positive heart and mind...

Midlife Mom said...

Oh Nancy I am so sorry that Cookie has had that diagnosis. I know your heart must be breaking as you love all of your four legged kids so much. Will be praying for Cookie and you. You have been such a wonderful mommy to Cookie and she has had a happy life with you. You have made a difference in this world by all the care you have given to so many homeless cats and kittens.

Thank you for such a nice long comment on my latest post. I always enjoying hearing from you. I am finding that comments are down from the wintertime, I guess everyone is out enjoying the summer weather. Can't say as I blame them but I do miss the comments.

Blogger has decided to let me visit other blogs again. Go figure! It must be a blogger problem as I didn't do anything to correct it myself. Thank you for sending me your link so that I could get to your site!

I made a rhubarb pie yesterday in my wonderful red pie plate that you sent me! I love that pie plate!!!! The pie is gone already so need to make a new one tomorrow.

Yes, I am enjoying my new kitchen so much. It's so much lighter and I have lots more cupboard space. I actually have some cupboards with nothing in them! Guess I'll have to do something about that won't I?

We went to the coast today for lobster. It was sooooooo good! I had lobster stew and seafood newburg. I could go right back tomorrow and have the same thing if it wasn't so far! lol! It's about an hour and twenty minute drive from here.

Take care of yourself Nancy and I will be praying for God's will in Miss Cookies life. She has had a better life because of you!!!! xoxoxo

Tracy said...

best wishes for Cookie's health - such a pretty kitty.

Jess said...

Hey Nancy..hope all is well with you...hadn't heard from you in a bit.

Hope the fur kids are all okay..

lots of love and have a great weeks end

Jess

Anonymous said...

My new hospice kitty Keaton has the same issue. He is 8-10 year old though (estimated). Three years ago I lost a tiny little shelter kitten named Marvel to CHF. Although her issue was that her heart wasn't large enough. She was the first foster that I lost and it was extremely hard (although it never gets easier to lose one). My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless little Miss Cookie!

Is she a bobtail??